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Big picture red, white and blue
In the midst of what is becoming one of the most contentious national election cycles in recent memory, I recently overheard someone saying they don't plan to observe the Fourth of July. "What do we have to celebrate?" he said.
While it is commonly agreed that we will all have election fatigue by the time November rolls around, may I humbly suggest that we must look past the tunnel vision of current events to the bigger picture at hand. Thomas Paine once said, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
In other words, put down the headlines for today. There is much to celebrate.
There is our distinctly American notion of freedom. There is the fact that our 235-year-old experiment in liberty continues to evolve and is not based on incontrovertable edicts but on checks and balances that enable our constitution to continue to be a living, breathing document.
The only absolutes we deal in are the words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
And, here in Farmers Branch, we get to celebrate America in our hometown, where the Star-Spangled Banner flies as proudly from the top of a 150-foot flagpole at Liberty Plaza as it does from the front porch of the house down the street. We are able to get together with family and friends in July Texas heat and listen to Lee Greenwood while burning hot dogs and burgers on the grill.
It may be a bit Norman Rockwellian, but the Fourth of July should be. It's not 2012 myopic, but big picture red, white and blue.
From everyone here at the City of Farmers Branch, Happy Fourth of July!
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |
City offices to close for July 4 holiday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Most City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The only exceptions will be the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and Historical Park, both open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Don Showman Pool will be open from 1 until 7 p.m. There will be no garbage collection that day.
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Farmers Branch Manske Library, patrons may now receive a special "Gold" Library card while supplies last. The golden-colored card may be issued as a new card, a replacement for a lost card or simply as a "thank you" to long-standing patrons in addition to their regular library card. Originally located in the old Dallas Rod and Gun Club building on Amber Lane, in Don Showman Park, the Farmers Branch Library opened its doors 50 years ago tomorrow, on July 5, 1962. Earlier that year, the City Council voted to create a Library in and for Farmers Branch, in place of the county library services enjoyed to that point in time. Other activities during the 50th anniversary celebration include a Community Reads program, featuring bestsellers of 1962, screening of movies from 1962 and a display this month of "50 Years of the Farmers Branch Library" in the Library's art gallery. For more information, call 972.247.2511 |
Employee: Jim Richardson Position: School Resource Officer/Juvenile Investigator
Department: Police Department
Years of Service: 15.5 years
Background: I served 2 years in the United States Army and received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal. I am part of the Farmers Branch WMD/Hazmat team and a Field Training Officer. I am the father of two beautiful girls, Katilyn and Alyssa. I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping and training bird dogs.
What I love most about working for the City: I love watching the City grow and change over the years and seeing how the people of Farmers Branch rally together to form our community.
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Cuteness
Two of the smallest Farmers Branch fans were among those gathered at the Historical Park recently for a celebration of America. |
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Branch Business Brief
VIDEO EXTRA
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Now through July 26
Summer Reading Club @ Manske Library July 4 Independence Day Holiday City offices closed. No garbage collection. Historical Park & Rec Center open 8 to 5.
July 17 City Council Meeting @ City Hall, 6 p.m. Only scheduled meeting in July.
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Red White and Beautiful
Nothing is guaranteed to get the patriotic spirit stirring like seeing Old Glory waving proud and free.
Photo by Tom Bryson |
CITY
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
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Branch Bulletin
is the recipient of the
2011 and 2012 TAMI Award for
Best E-Newsletter
in Texas, bestowed by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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About the City of Farmers Branch
Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, Farmers Branch is a vibrant and vital community with a residential population of 28,800 but a daytime population of 66,000. The City's 28 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The Farmers Branch Historical Park allows residents to step back in time and the John F. Burke Nature Preserve offers the opportunity to experience a real, 104-acre wilderness in the middle of one of the busiest metro areas of the world. The City's location in the geographical center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, only 15 minutes away from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information about Farmers Branch, visit www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.919.2515.
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